New title for global engineering consultancy (From Basingstoke Gazette)

New title for global engineering consultancy

6:26pm Monday 16th January 2012 in Business By Richard Garfield

THIS month has seen a name change for one of Basingstoke’s biggest employers.

Global engineering consultancy URS Scott Wilson, which has a flagship office at Scott House, in Alencon Link, which is based to around 400 local employees, is now just known as URS.

Since the acquisition of Scott Wilson Group in September 2010, by American giant URS, the former Scott Wilson business and URS’ operations in the UK & Ireland, Europe and the Middle East have been trading under the name URS Scott Wilson.

Now, the Scott Wilson logo will be removed and the company will trade and be branded as URS, as part of a global programme to have a single and consistent brand across the company’s operations.

In some regions, such as India and China, the brand’s transition will be phased in recognition of current brand exposure in each area.

Hugh Blackwood, URS senior vice-president international operations, said: “Together, we have a larger global footprint and the ability to meet our clients’ needs across a wider range of services and sectors.

“The name change is the final step in the integration of our two businesses and is part of our forward-looking strategy to give access to our services through a single, integrated organisation.

“We recognise the benefits of having a consistent brand across the company’s operations and the single URS brand will allow us to take advantage of the strength and reputation of URS Corporation, one of the world’s leading service providers.”

The acquisition of Scott Wilson significantly expanded and diversified URS’ international operations, creating new opportunities in strategically important markets and geographies.

The company now has approximately 48,000 employees and a network of offices in more than 40 countries. It also expanded the company’s portfolio of professional services and it has the capabilities to provide the full range of services needed to plan, design, construct, operate and maintain major projects.